Appendix E
Summary of State Contribution Limits for Corporations and PACs
Note: State law should be consulted to determine whether and to what extent federal and state PACs must register and report.
LIMITS ON CONTRIBUTIONS FROM:STATE / CORPORATION / FEDERAL PAC / STATE PAC
Alabama / $500 to any candidate, PAC, or political party per election. / None. / None.
Alaska / Prohibited. / Effectively prohibited. / Alaska-based groups may donate $1,000 per year to a candidate, group, or political party.
Arizona / Prohibited. / Contributions are prohibited if the candidate participates in public funding. If a candidate does not participate in public funding: a certified1 PAC may contribute $4,008 to statewide candidates, $2,000 to local candidates, and $1,600 to legislative candidates per election; a noncertified PAC may contribute $808 to state-wide candidates, $390 to local candidates, and $312 to legislative candidates per election.2 General and primary elections are counted as one election for contribution limit purposes.3 / Same as for federal PACs.
Arkansas4 / $2,000 to any candidate, regardless of the office sought; no limit on contributions to PACs or state party committees. / $2,000 to any candidate per election for both small donor PACs5 and other PACs. PACs may not accept more than $5,000 per year from a person. / $2,000 to any candidate per election for both small donor PACs and other PACs. PACs may not accept more than $5,000 per year from a person.
California / $3,600 per election for legislative candidates; $24,100 per election for governor; $6,000 per election for other statewide offices; $30,200 per year to state party committees. Corporations that contribute $10,000 or more in a calendar year must report to the state.6 / $3,600 per election for legislative candidates; $24,100 per election for governor; $6,000 per election for other statewide offices; $30,200 per year to state party committees. / $3,600 per election for legislative candidates; $24,100 per election for governor; $6,000 per election for other statewide offices; $30,200 per year to state party committees.
Colorado7 / Prohibited, except for contributions to political committees that do not exceed $525 per two-year state house of representatives election cycle. / $525 to gubernatorial candidates for a primary election; $525 to governor/lieutenant governor (as joint candidates) for a general election; $525 to secretary of state, treasurer, and attorney general candidates; $200 legislative, district attorney, state board of education, University of Colorado regent candidates. / $525 to gubernatorial candidates for a primary election; $525 to governor/lieutenant governor (as joint candidates) for a general election; $525 to secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general candidates; $200 to legislative, district attorney, state board of education, University of Colorado regent candidates.
Connecticut / Prohibited. / Effectively prohibited. / $5,000 to governor; $3,000 to other statewide candidates; $1,500 to state senator, probate judge, or chief elected official of a municipality candidates; $750 to state representative candidates; $3 75 to candidates for other municipal office (primary and general elections are treated separately). Contributions may not aggregate to more than $100,000 per election.
Delaware / $1,200 to statewide candidates; $600 to nonstatewide candidates per election; $20,000 to any political party per election. / $1,200 to statewide candidates; $600 to nonstatewide candidates per election period; $20,000 to any political party per election period.8 / $1,200 to statewide candidates; $600 to nonstatewide candidates per election period; $20,000 to any political party per election period.
District of Columbia / $2,000 to mayor; $1,500 to chairperson of city council; $1,000 to at-large councilpersons per election (includes both primary and general elections); $8,500 in aggregate to all candidates and political committees per election; $5,000 per election to any one state party committee. A corporation, its subsidiaries, and all political committees established by it share a single contribution limit. / $2,000 to mayor; $1,500 to chairperson of city council; $1,000 to at-large councilpersons per election (includes both primary and general elections); $8,500 in aggregate to all candidates and political committees per election. $5,000 per election to any one state party committee. / $2,000 to mayor; $1,500 to chairperson of city council; $1,000 to at-large councilpersons per election (includes both primary and general elections); $8,500 in aggregate to all candidates and political committees per election. $5,000 per election to any one state party committee.
Florida9 / $500 to any candidate for statewide or nonstatewide office per election;10 no limits to any state party committee. / Effectively prohibited. / $500 to any candidate for statewide or legislative office per election; no limits to any state party committee.
Georgia11 / $5,700 per election (primary or general) to statewide candidates, $2,300 per election (primary or general) to nonstatewide candidates; unlimited to state party committees. Corporations must register in Georgia before making contributions over $5,000 to more than one candidate, party, or committee.12 / $5,700 per election (primary or general) to statewide, $2,300 per election (primary or general) to nonstatewide candidates. / $5,700 per election (primary or general) to statewide, $2,300 per election (primary or general) to nonstatewide candidates.
Hawaii / In light of a state court decision overturning the rules regarding corporate contributions (and subject to reversal on appeal), the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission has advised that corporations may contribute up to $6,000 per election period to candidates for four-year statewide office, $4,000 per election period to candidates for four-year nonstatewide office, $2,000 per election period for candidates for two-year office, and $25,000 to a political party in a two-year election period. / $6,000 per election period to candidates for four-year statewide office, $4,000 per election period to candidates for four-year nonstatewide office, $2,000 per election period for candidates for two-year office, and $25,000 to a political party in a two-year election period. / $6,000 per election period to candidates for four-year statewide office, $4,000 per election period to candidates for four-year nonstatewide office, $2,000 per election period for candidates for two-year office, and $25,000 to a political party in a two-year election period.
Idaho / $5,000 to statewide and $1,000 to legislative candidates per election. No limits for contributions to state party committees. / $5,000 to statewide and $1,000 to legislative candidates per election. No limits for contributions to state party committees. / $5,000 to statewide and $1,000 to legislative candidates per election. No limits for contributions to state party committees.
Illinois / None. / None. / None.
Indiana / $5,000 in the aggregate to all statewide candidates; $5,000 in the aggregate to state central political party committees; $2,000 in the aggregate to all state senate candidates; $2,000 in the aggregate to all state representative candidates; $2,000 in the aggregate for noncentral state political party committees; $2,000 in the aggregate to state senate caucuses; $2,000 in the aggregate to state house caucuses; $2,000 in the aggregate to candidates for local offices during a calendar year. / None. / None.
Iowa / Prohibited. / None. / None.
Kansas / $2,000 to statewide, $1,000 to state senate, and $500 to all other candidates per election; $15,000 in the aggregate to a state political party committee, and $5,000 in the aggregate to other party committees per calendar year. / $2,000 to statewide, $1,000 to state senate, and $500 to all other candidates per election; $5,000 in the aggregate to a state political party committee, and $5,000 in the aggregate to other party committees per calendar year. / $2,000 to statewide, $1,000 to state senate, and $500 to all other candidates per election; $5,000 in the aggregate to a state political party committee, and $5,000 in the aggregate to other party committees per calendar year.
Kentucky / Prohibited. PACs must reimburse corporations for administrative expenses. / $1,000 to any statewide or legislative candidate per election; and $1,500 to other state PACs per calendar year in the aggregate. / $1,000 to any statewide or legislative candidate per election; and $1,500 to other state PACs per calendar year in the aggregate.
Louisiana / $5,000 to “major office”13 candidates, $2,500 to legislative candidates; and $1,000 to any other office candidates per election; $100,000 in the aggregate to a PAC or a state party committee over four years. Parents/subsidiaries of a corporation are subject to a single limit. / Big PAC14 Limits: $10,000 to “major office” candidates, $5,000 to legislative candidates, and $2,000 to any other office candidates per election; from $2,000 to $10,000 to another PAC. Non-Big PAC limits are the same as corporate limits, except for contributions to another PAC: limits range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on what types of candidates the recipient PAC supports.15 / Big PAC Limits: $10,000 to “major office” candidates, $5,000 to legislative candidates, and $2,000 to any other office candidates per election; from $2,000 to $10,000 to another PAC. Non-Big PAC limits are the same as corporate limits, except for contributions to another PAC: limits range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on what types of candidates the recipient PAC supports.
Maine / $500 to any candidate for governor per election; $250 to any other candidate per election. If a candidate participates in public financing,16 contributions to that candidate are prohibited. Corporate parents and subsidiaries are subject to a single contribution limit. No limits on contributions to state party committees. / $500 to any candidate for governor per election; $250 to any other candidate per election. If a candidate participates in public financing, contributions are prohibited. / $500 to any candidate for governor per election; $250 to any other candidate per election. If a candidate participates in public financing, contributions are prohibited.
Maryland / $4,000 in the aggregate to any campaign account and $10,000 in the aggregate to all campaign accounts over a four-year election cycle. The current cycle began on January 1, 2007. There are special reporting requirements for corporations doing business in the state and those having a registered lobbyist. / $4,000 in the aggregate to any campaign account and $10,000 in the aggregate to all campaign accounts over a four-year election cycle. The current cycle began on January 1, 2007. / $6,000 in the aggregate to any campaign account over a four-year election cycle. The current cycle began on January 1, 2007.
Massachusetts17 / Prohibited. PACs must reimburse corporations for administrative expenses. / Effectively prohibited. / $500 per year to any statewide or legislative candidate, and $5,000 to state political parties per calendar year.
Michigan / Prohibited. / If a federal PAC qualifies as an “independent PAC”18: $34,000 to any statewide, $10,000 to any state senate, and $5,000 to any state representative candidate per election cycle (includes primary and general). If not an “independent PAC”: $3,400 to any statewide candidate, $1,000 to any state senate candidate, and $500 to any state representative candidate per election cycle. (includes primary and general).
Federal PACs are required to treat contributions made by payroll deductions differently from other contributions. / “Independent PAC”: $34,000 to any statewide, $10,000 to any state senate, and $5,000 to any state representative candidate per election cycle (includes primary and general). If not an “independent PAC”: $3,400 to any statewide candidate, $1,000 to any state senate candidate, and $500 to any state representative candidate per election cycle. (includes primary and general).
Minnesota / Prohibited. / Effectively prohibited. / Prohibited. A corporation may sponsor only an employee “conduit fund.”
Mississippi / $1,000 to any statewide or legislative candidate per year (includes primary and general); $1,000 annually to political parties. / Unincorporated federal PACs may contribute without limit to Mississippi campaigns. However, PACs not affiliated with a political party may not contribute in excess of $5,000 to supreme court/court of appeals candidates or $2,500 to other judicial candidates. Incorporated federal PACs are subject to the $1,000 corporate limit. / Generally none. However, PACs not affiliated with a political party may not contribute in excess of $5,000 to supreme court/court of appeals candidates or $2,500 to other judicial candidates.
Missouri19 / $1,275 to governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, or attorney general candidates per election; $650 to state senator candidates per election; $325 for state representative candidates per election.20 No limits on contributions to state party committees / $1,2 75 to governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, or attorney general candidates per election; $650 to state senator candidates per election; $325 to state representative candidates per election. Out-of-state PACs (including federal PACs) must make contributions no later than thirty (30) days prior to an election. Separate committee necessary if aggregate contributions exceed $1,499 in a calendar year. / $1,275 to governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, or attorney general candidates per election; $650 to state senator candidates per election; $325 to state representative candidates per election.
Montana / Prohibited. / $500 to any governor/lieutenant governor ticket,21 $250 to other statewide, and $130 to all other public office candidates per election.22 Pursuant to a 2007 amendment (2007 Mont. Laws ch. 328 (H.B. 706), these limits will be subject to periodic adjustment for inflation effective October 1, 2007. / $500 to any governor/lieutenant governor ticket, $250 to other statewide, and $130 to all other public office candidates per election. Pursuant to a 2007 amendment (2007 Mont. Laws ch. 328 (H.B. 706), these limits will be subject to periodic adjustment for inflation effective October 1, 2007.
Nebraska23 / None. Corporations doing business in the state must report contributions of $250 or more during a calendar month. All other corporations must report contributions that exceed $10,000 per year. / None. Unless it wants to register in Nebraska, a federal PAC may not solicit funds explicitly for the purpose of making contributions in Nebraska. / None.
Nevada / $5,000 to any candidate per election; contributions to political parties are unlimited. / $5,000 to any candidate per election; contributions to political parties are unlimited. / $5,000 to any candidate per election; contributions to political parties are unlimited.
New Hampshire / $5,000 per election, provided the candidate has voluntarily agreed to limit his or her own expenditures. Otherwise, $1,000 per election. The limit is $5,000 per year for state party committees.24 / None, provided the candidate has voluntarily agreed to limit his or her own expenditures. Otherwise, $1,000 per election. / None, provided the candidate has voluntarily agreed to limit his or her own expenditures. Otherwise, $1,000 per election.
New Jersey / Prohibited for certain “regulated” corporations. Nonregulated corporations may contribute up to $3000 for governor; $2,600 to statewide or legislative candidates per election; $25,000 to state political parties; $37,000 to county political parties; $7,200 to municipal political parties per calendar year. / If contributing as an “association” without registration, then the limits are the same as for corporations. If registered as a PAC in New Jersey, then the limits are as follows: $8,200 to statewide or legislative candidates per election; $25,000 to state political parties; $37,000 to county political parties per calendar year. / $8,200 to statewide or legislative candidates per election; $25,000 to state political parties; $37,000 to county political parties per calendar year.
New Mexico25 / None. / None. / None.
New York / $5,000 in the aggregate to all state and local candidates, PACs, and political parties per calendar year. Each affiliated or subsidiary corporation, if a separate legal entity, has its own limit. In addition, lower candidate-specific contribution limits, discussed under the PAC listings, are also applicable. PAC administrative expenses paid by corporations count against the $5,000 corporate limit. There are no limits on contributions to state party “housekeeping” accounts. / No aggregate limit. The total number of enrolled voters in the candidate’s party in the state * $0.005 per primary, and $37,800 per general to statewide; $6,000 per primary and $9,500 per general to state senate; and $3,800 per primary and $3,800 per general to state assembly candidates. Federal PACs must have a New York depository in order to register and make contributions of more than $1000. / No aggregate limit. The total number of enrolled voters in the candidate’s party in the state * $0.005 per primary, and $37,800 per general to statewide; $6,000 per primary and $9,500 per general to state senate; and $3,800 per primary and $3,800 per general to state assembly candidates.
North Carolina26 / Prohibited. / $4,000 to any statewide or legislative candidate per election. / $4,000 to any statewide or legislative candidate per election.
North Dakota / Prohibited. / None. / None.
Ohio / Mostly prohibited except for $10,000 per calendar year to a state or county political party’s “restricted fund” account from which the party may make certain limited uses. / $10,000 to any statewide or legislative candidate per election cycle (primary and general are separate) and $30,000 to any state political party per calendar year. / $10,000 to any statewide or legislative candidate per election cycle (primary and general are separate) and $30,000 to any state political party per calendar year.
Oklahoma / Prohibited. / $5,000 to any statewide or legislative candidate; $1,000 to any other local office candidate per election cycle (includes primary and general). / $5,000 to any statewide or legislative candidate; $1,000 to any other local office candidate per election cycle (includes primary and general).
Oregon27 / None. / None. / None.
Pennsylvania / Prohibited. / None. / None.
Rhode Island / Prohibited.28 / Effectively prohibited. / $1,000 to any statewide or legislative candidate, $10,000 annual aggregate limit on contributions made by an individual, and $25,000 annual aggregate limit on contributions made by PACs. PACs are limited to $1,000 per contributor.
South Carolina / $3,500 to statewide, $1,000 to nonstatewide candidates per election; $3,500 to PACs and political parties per calendar year. / $3,500 to statewide, $1,000 to nonstatewide candidates per election; $3,500 to PACs and political parties per calendar year. / $3,500 to statewide, $1,000 to nonstatewide candidates per election; $3,500 to PACs and political parties per calendar year.
South Dakota / Prohibited. / None.29 / None.
Tennessee / Prohibited. PACs must reimburse corporations for administrative expenses. / $7,500 to any statewide, $7,500 to any state senate, $5,000 to any state representative candidate per election. Candidates are limited as to their total percentage of contributions from PACs. / $7,500 to any statewide, $7,500 to any state senate, $5,000 to any state representative candidate per election. Candidates are limited as to their total percentage of contributions from PACs.
Texas / Prohibited.30 / None, except for judicial candidates. / None, except for judicial candidates.
Utah / None. Corporations that receive contributions or make expenditures greater than $750 in a calendar year are required to file state financial disclosure reports. / None. PACs that receive contributions or make expenditures greater than $750 in a calendar year are required to file state financial disclosure reports. / None. PACs that receive contributions or make expenditures greater than $750 in a calendar year are required to file state financial disclosure reports.
Vermont31 / $1000 per election to any state, county, local, or legislative candidate. / $3000 per election to any state, county, local, or legislative candidate. / $3000 per election to any state, county, local, or legislative candidate.
Virginia / None. / None. / None.
Washington / $1,400 to any statewide, $700 to any legislative candidate per election, $3500 per year to state political party committees, provided the corporation does business in the state. Corporations must report contributions to the state if: (1) aggregate contributions exceed $14,500 in a calendar year; or (2) the corporation employs a registered lobbyist. / $1,400 to any statewide, $700 to any legislative candidate per election, $3500 per year to state political party committees. / $1,400 to any statewide, $700 to any legislative candidate per election. $3500 per year to state political party committees.
West Virginia / Prohibited. Corporations that sponsor PACs must report administrative expenses. / $1,000 to any statewide candidate per election. Primary and general elections are considered separate elections. / $1,000 to any statewide candidate per election. Primary and general elections are considered separate elections.
Wisconsin / Prohibited. / $43,128 to governor, $12,939 to lieutenant governor, $21,560 to attorney general, $8,625 to treasurer and secretary of state, $1,000 to state senate, $500 to state assembly candidates per election cycle (includes primary and general); and $6,000 in a calendar year to a political party. / $43,128 to governor, $12,939 to lieutenant governor, $21,560 to attorney general, $8,625 to treasurer and secretary of state, $1,000 to state senate, $500 to state assembly candidates per election cycle (includes primary and general); and $6,000 in a calendar year to a political party.
Wyoming / Prohibited. / None. / None.
NOTES